Arsenio Hall Show Canceled After Season One

The Arsenio Hall Show will not return for a second season due to low ratings.

The show’s original run from 1989-1994, was popular among urban youth, according to the Orange County Register. Tons of mainstream guests shared his stage including Michael Jackson, Maya Angelou and Bill Cosby. The show was brought into the spotlight when presidential-candidate Bill Clinton was invited to showcase his saxophone playing skills.

youtube

Former President Bill Clinton Plays Sax on Arsenio Hall Show

In 1994, Hall had an increase in competition from late night talk show hosts Jay Leno and David Letterman. Hall’s audience dramatically decreased and was taken off the air.

Last year, CBS announced the Arsenio Hall show would be revived. But this time around, Hall was faced with more competition than ever before due to an increase in late night programming. CBS decided to cancel the show after it’s first season returning. Hall failed to reach viewers from ages 18-49, according to the New York Times. This demographic of viewers are who most advertisers target.

“I personally really liked watching the show,” said Makese Powe, 20-year-old fan of Hall. “To me, the show was never advertised well enough for people to give it a chance.’”

For decades, late night shows have been dominated by white men. With the cancellation of The Arsenio Hall show, popular late night hosts are even more exclusive, with an exception of Tavis Smiley on PBS.

Chelsea Handler’s late-night talk show, Chelsea Lately, is expected to cancel in August. Hanlder is the only female with a regularly scheduled late night talk show.

Seth Meyers recently joined NBC’s “Late Night” last February, adding yet another white man to the mix and highlighting the lack of diversity among show hosts.

“When I started this adventure we all knew it would be a challenge," Hall said in a statement. "I'm gratified for the year we've had.”